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Ball players who play at the Kew Gardens baseball diamond must be wondering whether they’ve struck out for the season.

Since last year, floodlights that are supposed to tower over the field have been lying down on the job, which has kept the diamond closed when it would normally be hopping.

We got a note from Ken Ferguson, who lives near the park, on Queen St. E., saying he’d like to know why the light issues weren’t addressed before the baseball season started.

“Back in the winter, concrete poles were dropped off and excavations made for underground hydro, presumably for new outfield lights,” said Ferguson.

“Months later, little has been done. The new poles are taking up right field, making an otherwise busy diamond unusable. Construction on a new toilet structure that started last fall also hasn’t been finished.

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“It seems just plain cruel to obstruct this popular playing field in May and June. If they weren't able to complete the work before the playing season, they shouldn't have started it.

“New lights might be an upgrade, but players shouldn't have to forfeit the season,” said Ferguson, who told us on the phone it was “always busy” last year with adult ball players.

“If the work can't proceed, why not at least remove the new poles from the outfield so the ballpark can be used?”

We went there and found the diamond enclosed by temporary fencing to keep people out. Inside, the playing field was occupied by the prostrate light poles, trucks, a large crane and dozens of large cardboard boxes.

The only person on the job was a guy we saw rummaging in the back of an electrical contractor’s truck. When we asked him if he knew when the lights would be back in service, he said June 17.

STATUS: James Dann, who’s in charge of waterfront parks, said new lights are among several ongoing projects in the park. We told him about the June 17 prediction but he sounded doubtful, noting, “they told me February.” New poles are going up this week, with the lights to be added ASAP, said Dann, adding the diamond will be open for baseball by the end of June.

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